Just a thought.. isn't the relationship of where your wheelhouse hitting zone is (determined by your height) to the height of the top of the net, a critical (and maybe main) factor in determining if a more flat hitting control racket (18x20) or a more spin friendly racket (16x19, etc) is best for you? If you look at the most of the taller ATP players (above 6'3") Isner, Raonic, Pospisil, Monfils.. they use the 18x20 stringbed as their hitting zone is higher in relation to the net than a shorter player..

Most every factor has to be taken into account for sure.
But, I suspect, tall guys can and need to hit hard flat penetrating shots, since they don't move as well as those pesky shorter guys, so they don't want to get into a baseline exchange where consistency and speed become more important factors.
And, hitting harder and flatter, more strings just give more control.
But every factor needs to be examined and analysed.

Also 16x19 has a noticeable higher launch angle than 18x20. I spend almost 5 years playing w/ Tour 90 (16x19), and when I was doing demo to find replacement racquets, the 18x20 racquets gave me trouble w/ net clearance and depth control (Prestige MP, Blade 18x20).

Strange.
I have no problem switching from 16x19 racket's to 18x20 rackets, even some that weigh 12.7 oz.
Oftentimes, I'll change in the middle of a set, and it makes almost no difference, except the few strings rackets give easier power on slower swings.

Strange.
I have no problem switching from 16x19 racket's to 18x20 rackets, even some that weigh 12.7 oz.
Oftentimes, I'll change in the middle of a set, and it makes almost no difference, except the few strings rackets give easier power on slower swings.

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:shock: I guess it varies vastly between diff ppl. I couldn't get any depth w/ Blade 98 18x20 and Prestige MP unless I swing very hard.

No relationship with height at all, players who brush up on the ball more would prefer a 16x19 while those who tend to hit through the ball more prefer the feel and plow through of a 18x20.

Simon 5'10" 18x20
Nole 6'2" 18x20

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Okay so there are going to be exceptions, of course. But just think of the logistics of it, if you are hitting from a lower point below the net clearance line you will need to hit with more topspin, and if you're really tall your angle towards the opponents court is more open for a flatter straight shot to go inside the court. This makes sense.

Simon is actually 6' (or that's what wiki lists him as), short for an ATP player, average height or above average for most people. Nadal uses 16x19 and is 6'1. Nole at 6'2 18x20, Isner (I was mistaken, he uses 16x19),... so I will concede that it's not very consistent, but still I think if you looked at all the players you'd have more often than not taller players with control oriented and shorter with spin oriented rackets. Having said that, with so many rackets on the market and customization, hey whatever works!

I haven't played with open patterns but my guess would be they'd be harder to be accurate with. So it would depend on game style. If you are more about consistency and grinding rallies, you may want to use a more open pattern and aim for greater margins. Whereas if you like to attack with lower-margin placement, you may prefer a somewhat denser and more predictable stringbed.

But I should try out some more open patterns to have a better understanding.

Biggest factor for me is open pattern is quicker to string! I hate stringing crosses so I use 18x16. I notice very little between the different patterns. At our level, footwork and court positioning is what needs improving.

Okay so there are going to be exceptions, of course. But just think of the logistics of it, if you are hitting from a lower point below the net clearance line you will need to hit with more topspin, and if you're really tall your angle towards the opponents court is more open for a flatter straight shot to go inside the court. This makes sense.

Simon is actually 6' (or that's what wiki lists him as), short for an ATP player, average height or above average for most people. Nadal uses 16x19 and is 6'1. Nole at 6'2 18x20, Isner (I was mistaken, he uses 16x19),... so I will concede that it's not very consistent, but still I think if you looked at all the players you'd have more often than not taller players with control oriented and shorter with spin oriented rackets. Having said that, with so many rackets on the market and customization, hey whatever works!

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Your theory assumes that all balls are coming in at the same height, but that's not the case. Think about all the really low balls coming in, so just because they're tall doesn't mean they are hitting all balls back at the same height...

Your theory assumes that all balls are coming in at the same height, but that's not the case. Think about all the really low balls coming in, so just because they're tall doesn't mean they are hitting all balls back at the same height...

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During a rally at the ATP level, yes their opponent will be skilled enough and smart enough to hit low balls to taller players on a consistent basis. And yes, you have you a good point in that regard. However, the serve doesn't rely on your opponent hitting you low balls and you set your own strike zone. A straighter line into the the court is available for someone like Ivo who has a tight string pattern racket in contrast to someone like 5'9" Ferrer (who uses a 16x18 string racket) and won't get that straight line into the service box. It's simple geometry. You think this makes no sense though still?

During a rally at the ATP level, yes their opponent will be skilled enough and smart enough to hit low balls to taller players on a consistent basis. And yes, you have you a good point in that regard. However, the serve doesn't rely on your opponent hitting you low balls and you set your own strike zone. A straighter line into the the court is available for someone like Ivo who has a tight string pattern racket in contrast to someone like 5'9" Ferrer (who uses a 16x18 string racket) and won't get that straight line into the service box. It's simple geometry. You think this makes no sense though still?

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You are trying to make a correlation between something that doesn't exist, height plays no part in choosing a string pattern.

Playing styles and preferences matter in choosing a pattern not height.